|
|
|
Play-offs Pay Off
Pool, says Michael Ferreira, is "fast,
colourful, short, sharp". The former world billiards champ played an exhibition match
last week at the Pepsi Cool Pool Play-Offs for amateurs at Delhi's Leisure Bowl
entertainment centre. He was convinced that the 4,000 entries at the tournament were proof
of pool gaining ground in India, but many of the participants were state-level snooker and
billiards players eyeing the international arena, and there to pass time and be seen.
"I'm here because it will make me visible for later-day championships," said
Siddharth Anand, 23, one of the quarter-finalists. Others were at the Play-Offs for the
pay-offs. Like Rishab Thukral, 19, and the first runner-up. "I play pool only for the
money," he said. With Rs 20,000 worth of gift vouchers for a few hours of fooling
around, he got it.
-Seema
Chowdhry |
